“It's what it is” – LIV golfer Sergio Garcia responds to Fred Couples' 'clown' remarks
Sergio Garcia has finally responded to the comments made by PGA Tour veteran Fred Couples. Last week, Couples referred to Garcia as a 'clown'. Garcia has called Couples' remarks on him 'disappointing'.
It was not just Garcia whom Couples had targeted. He called Phil Mickelson a 'nutbag' and also referred to Garcia and others as 'clowns' who were bashing the PGA Tour or their defection to LIV Golf.
Garcia told Sports Illustrated on Friday during his LIV Golf Tucson event:
“It's what it is. It's disappointing because I don't know where he's going with this. But it's Freddy so he can say whatever he wants and then we can say whatever we want. I think at the end of the day his life is his life and my life in this case is my life."
He added that Couples shouldn't tell the Saudi-backed circuit golfers what to do just like they didn't tell him.
"Even if I wasn't [happy with joining the Saudi-backed league], it’s my problem, not his.”
Garcia and Couples will be meeting each other at the upcoming Masters Champions Dinner. He will also face Rory McIlroy, with whom he had verbal exchanges when he switched to LIV.
The 2017 Masters champion said he doesn't have a problem with it.
"I'm going to feel fine," he said via Sports Illustrated "I don't have any problems with anyone, and I try not to make a big deal out of it. I'm going to be there because I earned it, because I deserve it, and I'm going to enjoy it. I hope the rest of the guys do the same."
Garcia said Rory lacked 'maturity' when the Northern Irishman said there was no chance that both of them reignited their relationship. It is evident that Garcia and Rory were the Ryder Cup partners in 2017.
Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC wins the LIV Golf Tucson team portion
Sergio Garcia led Fireballs GC to win the LIV Golf Tucson event, which was their second win in LIV Golf's history. They beat Dustin Johnson's 4Aces by a four-stroke margin. Fireballs earned $3 million and 4Aces got $1.5 million. Alongside Garcia, the Fireballs comprises Carlos Ortiz, Abraham Ancer, and Eugenio Chacarra as other team members.
In the individual portion, New Zealand's Danny Lee emerged victorious in the 4-way playoff alongside Ortiz, Louis Oosthuizen, and Brendan Steele. Lee earned $4 million for his victory. All four tied at 9-under after 54 holes and needed three extra holes to get the result. Garcia finished at T-6 with a score of 7-under par.
Here's the top 10 leaderboard of the LIV Golf Tucson:
1: Danny Lee
T-2: Carlos Ortiz
T-2: Brendan Steele
T-2: Louis Oosthuizen
5: Charles Howell III
T-6 Mito Pereira
T-6 Matt Jones
T-6: Kevin Na
T-6: Sergio Garcia
T-10: Peter Uihlein
T-10: Branden Grace
T-10: Matt Wolff
The next LIV event will begin on March 31 at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida. Later, Sergio Garcia and several other LIV-associated golfers will head to Augusta National for the Masters.